Maintenance of Long Running Shows

[ozjust4]

Posted: 8/18/16 at 7:47pm

Today I was having a conversation with a friend about long running shows on Broadway, which got me thinking:

Do long running shows like Phantom, Wicked, etc. get new sets throughout their run? For example is the grand staircase in Phantom today the same one from 1988? Or is the bubble that Carrie St. Louis is riding in today the same on Kristin Chenoweth rode on in 2003?

If anyone has any insights to this, let me know.

Updated On: 8/18/16 at 07:47 PM

[trpguyy]

Posted: 8/18/16 at 8:19pm

Typically things are maintained or replaced as needed through the run. Weekly "work calls" for the crew will be 4-8 hours, and they use this time for repairs, cleaning, preventative maintenance, etc. If something gets to the point where it needs replacing, it will be replaced (or not if the show is losing money) during a work call.

Without looking through my notes for specifics, Phantom did close and re-tech some time ago, so it's probably not the same staircase from opening. 

[Dallas Theatre Fan]

Posted: 8/18/16 at 8:19pm

 Or is the bubble that Carrie St. Louis is riding in today the same on Kristin Chenoweth rode on in 2003?
 

I think the bubble might have been replaced when Jennifer Laura Thompson replaced Chenoweth due to the massive height difference between the two actresses.  I might be recalling wrong though.

 

 

[Jakeevan942]

Posted: 8/18/16 at 8:55pm

trpguyy said: "Without looking through my notes for specifics, Phantom did close and re-tech some time ago, so it's probably not the same staircase from opening. "

 

If I recall correctly, the last major Phantom closure was to upgrade the sound system to match the digital system that they had on the road at that time-Sound had really improved in the 20 years since opening and it only took the show down for about a week. Though they may have replaced other components at that time, audio was the main goal. It is still known as the only Broadway musical without moving lights, and most of the scenic looks like it's been there for a long time.

http://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news/aug08/phantom24aug08.htm

[whatdoesntkillme]

Posted: 8/18/16 at 10:38pm

I can't find it after a few minutes of searching, but there was an article on Playbill a few months ago where the author asked around at various long-running shows, including Phantom, about how the productions have changed over time. IIRC, the author was in search of staging/choreography changes, but it turns out the only changes were in tech (the aforementioned sound system at the Majestic). 

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 8/18/16 at 10:42pm

isn't Wicked constantly changing things such as costumes, staging etc.?  

E.g. Opening scene used to have a witches hat which the ensemble danced around, now replaced with a projection of Elpahaba's shadow.

Glinda's costumes have changed significantly since the OBC days, most notably her bubble dress and her Shiz outfit.

Elphaba's 2nd Act dress also changed. 

[Jakeevan942]

Posted: 8/18/16 at 11:04pm

The Wicked opening was changed for the tour, as they couldn't put in the trap for the hat to drop into. They liked the new version better, and it was also more reliable, so it was put into the Broadway production.

Often, costumes are the most frequent design element changed, as the show doesn't need to go down for any length of time to implement the change. If there are major design changed to be implemented, it often means canceling shows, which is not economically possible for most shows. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/18/16 at 11:12pm

Still devastated that they cut the massive wicked witch hat at the top of the show. #NeverForget

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 8/18/16 at 11:17pm

whatdoesntkillme said: "I can't find it after a few minutes of searching, but there was an article on Playbill a few months ago where the author asked around at various long-running shows, including Phantom, about how the productions have changed over time. IIRC, the author was in search of staging/choreography changes, but it turns out the only changes were in tech (the aforementioned sound system at the Majestic). 

 

"

Last year, apparently, Lynne changed the Masquerade choreography but hasn't made the change in London (I don't think the original production is touring). Of course for a long time Hal Prince had the rep if going every six months to check in on Phantom but again those were performances not tech (I assume he still does?) 

 

Interesting that Phantom has no moving lights. It's been forever since I've seen it but I would have thought it did. 

[Tag]

Posted: 8/19/16 at 12:50am

Of course for a long time Hal Prince had the rep if going every six months to check in on Phantom but again those were performances not tech (I assume he still does?) 

He's done that with the current cast, so yes he still does.


There was a video recently (can't for the life of me remember where I watched it) that went behind the scenes of Phantom on Broadway and discussed things that were still original (with emphasis on the technology behind the chandelier).  Anyone remember see that?  

 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/19/16 at 1:04am

I'm guessing you're remembering this one from March with Jeremy Hays.

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-THE-PHANTOM-OF-THE-OPERAs-Jeremy-Hays-Conducts-a-25-Minute-Backstage-Tour-of-The-Majestic-Theatre-20160322

[Justin D]

Posted: 8/19/16 at 9:19am

I also remember reading that they kinda knew Phantom would run a long time therefore they built alot of the set to last. (steel stage etc.)
I don;t think they changed the staircase as that would be a huge changeout, and its purpose built for that theatre so they cant just swap it with the old one from tour. They might change bits and pieces as needed and repaint. You can also see alot of areas on the stage floor that gets repainted or replaced. Where the chandelier sits is very scratched up and the floor of the travelator could also use a coat of paint when last I saw it (because of the little seen rat catcher thing)

Funny about the Wicked bubble, if that was true. Last time at Phantom it looked like James Barbour could barely fit into that cross in the mausoleum scene.

I;ve also said alot that phantom London needs alot of work, I know they replaced drops and such but compared to Broadway, the london version is starting to look old and shabby.